Land leveling machine



Sept. 1, 1953 l.. E. sHUMAKl-:R

LAND LEVELING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 7, 1948 lin INVENTOR. Aw/Qa/vcf 5m/mme A WUR/wry.

Sept. l, 1953 Filed June 7', 1948 L. E. SHUMAKER LAND LEVELING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 llrllI ,IIIII' I l will; 6 I] Il ATTORNEY.

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Sept. 1, 1953 1 E. sHuMAKER LAND LEVELING MACHINE Filed June 7, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. l A wnffvcf HUMA/rf@ Patented Sept. 1, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 9 Claims.

This invention relates to a land leveling device, of the type illustrated in applicants prior Patent No. 2,277,889, and has for its principal object the provision of a land leveler which will have an exceedingly long leveling base for accurate leveling purposes, and yet can be turned in a relatively short radius and which can be folded for ease in transportation from job to job.

It has been found that if a lield is leveled by cutting high places to a level and filling low places to that level, it will not be level after plowing or tilling. This is due to the settling of the loose earth in the fills and to the expansion of the formerly hard packed earth in the scraped off high spots.

Another object of this invention is to provide automatic means for raising and lowering a scraper blade so as to over fill the low places and undercut the high places of a field so that the field will be substantially level after tillng.

A. still further object is to so construct the device that when desired it can be used as a scraper for dirt moving and for excavating.

Other objects and advantages reside in the detail construction of the invention, which is designed for simplicity, economy, and efliciency. These will become more apparent from the iollowing description.

In the following detailed description of the invention, reference is had to the accompanying drawing which forms a part hereof. Like numerals refer to like parts in all views of the drawing and throughout the description.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the improved land leveling machine;

Fig. 2 is a side view thereof;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged side view of the midseetion of the improved leveler with the near wheel removed;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary plan view of the portion illustrated in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section, taken on the line 5-5, Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the mid-portion of the improved land leveling device; and

Figs. 7 and 8 are diagrammatic illustrations showing various positions of a scraper blade employed in the improved land leveling device.

The improved leveler employs a longitudinally extending middle truss member comprising an inclined forward truss section IU, a substantially horizontal middle truss section I I, .and hinged, V-shaped rr lruss section I2.

The entire truss member is supported at the back of the leveler upon a rear smoothing blade I3 which is welded or otherwise secured across the rear extremities of the V-shaped rear truss section I2. The rear section I2 is hinged to the rear extremity of the middle section I I upon a substantially vertical hinge pin I4 which is secured in and projects from `both extremities of a hinge tube I5 welded or otherwise permanently secured at the apex of the V-shaped rear truss section I2.

The lower extremity of the pin I4 extends into a hinge opening in a lower hinge plate I 6 on the section II. The upper extremity is locked in place in a hinged plate 69 mounted on a hinge rod which can be clamped closed by means of rod clamps 6T. This structure prevents any relative vertical movement between the truss sections II and I2, but allows the forward portion of the leveler to swing transversally with reference to the rear section I2. The hinge pin I4 is preferably inclined forwardly at the top to resist sideward movement of the rear section I2.

The forward extremity of the section I0 is supported from a universal ball-and-socket joint Il secured on a draw bar |'8 intermediate the extremities of the latter. The rear extremity of the draw bar I8 is supported on a front smoothing blade I9 and the forward extremity is supported from a towing vehicle through the medium of an adjustable hanger 2|).

A rectangular blade frame 42| is rigidly suspended below the middle truss section II upon channel iron hangers 22. The frame 2| is tied to the apex of the forward truss section I0 by means of three pull members 23 so that it is ilxedly maintained at right angles to the axis of the truss member at all times.

The earth moving is accomplished by means of a curved scraper blade 24 which is secured at its extremities to and extends between forwardly extending end plates 25. A hinge strap is riveted or otherwise secured on the outside of each end plate 25, and each strap extends forwardly to a hinge bolt 26 mounted in the end members of the blade frame 2 I.

The blade 24 is braced at its middle by means of a tension bar 21 which extends forwardly from attachment ears 28 at the middle of the blade, thence downwardly to a hinge bolt 29 mounted in angle clips 30 on the forward member of the blade frame 2l. Two brace rods 3| also extend from the tension bar 21 to the outer extremities of the blade 24 and a similar middle tension bar extends to the middle of the blade to maintain the latter rigidly at right angles to the axis of the truss member.

A ground-engaging wheel 32 is mounted at each extremity of the frame 2l upon a wheel crank 33, through the medium of a stub axle Each wheel crank 33 is rotatable on a stub shaft journalled in a bearing box 35 mounted on one of the end members of the blade frame 2 l. The

wheel cranks 33 extend rearwardly beyond the stub shafts 35 to form wheel levers lil, and a cross pipe 3i connects the rearwardly extending wheel levers 'Eil entirely across the frame 2l so that the two wheel cranks 33 will move in unison.

The wheels 32 are constantly/.forced against the ground by means of tension springs 33 which connect at their rear extremities to spring levers 39. Each spring lever is pivotally mounted on a pivot bolt it extending ,through rearwardly extending extremities on the end members of the blade frame 2i. The Vupper extremity of each spring lever 39 is connected by means of a connecting link .di with an arm 42 welded or otherwise secured on each wheel crank 33.

Thus, it can be seen that the pull of the springs 33 is transmitted to the arms ft2 so as to tend to rotate the wheel cranks 33 forwardly and downwardly to urge the wheels 32 against the ground. The tension in the springs 3d can be adjusted by moving them into various receiving f openings d3 along the spring levers 39. In order to make this adjustment it is, of course, necessary to release the tension in the springs 3E. This is accomplished by mounting the forward extremity l of each spring' on the lower extremity of a hand lever 4d pivoted at 45 on the end members of the frame 2i. A holding clip 46 is provided in the path of each hand lever All to prevent rearward movement of the lower extremity thereof. The levers 44 can be unhooked from these clips by swinging them rearwardly and inwardly so that the rear Vextremities can move to relieve the tension in the springs 38 so as to allow them to be adjusted in the receiving holes 43.

A` blade pipe ll extends entirely across the leveler over the end plates 25 and is mounted in bearing ears 33 on each end plate. A pair of lifting arms i9 is welded to, and extends rearwardly from, each extremity of the blade pipe d?. A

Ybell-crank lever consisting of a pail1 of triangular l plates 53 is welded to the middle of the blade pipe 4l so as to extend upward and rearward therefrom.

Three connecting links 5| extend upwardly from ears 52 welded to the cross pipe 3l, there being one of the links 5I hinged between each pair of lifting arms le and one of the links 5i hinged between the two triangular plates 55 upon hinge pins 53.

A hydraulically operated plunger 5d connects with a pivot pin 55 at the upper extremities of the' triangular plates 53. The plunger 5d operates in a two-way hydraulic cylinder 5t which is mounted on a hinge bolt 5B in hinge ears 5l secured to and extending upwardly from the opposite sides of the tension bar 2'J. The plunger 5&3 and the cylinder 56 form a hydraulic jack. Fluid under pressure may be fed to the opposite extremities of the hydraulic cylinder 5t from any suitable source on the towing vehicle controlled by means of a conventional four-way valve (not shown) Vthrough the medium ofl pressure conduits 59 and flexible hoses 53 and 63.

The lifting arms d3 extend rearwardly from their hinged connections with the links 5i and 4 terminate in stop pins 6I which ride in elongated slots 52 in stop bars 53. The stop bars are hngedly mounted on hinge pins in hinge ears E5 on the frame 2l and act to limit the maximum upward and downward movements of the lifting arms i9 for purposes to be later described.

in operation, the leveler is drawn over the surface of the ground to be leveled by any suitable towing vehicle provided with a source of huid pressure. Let us assume that there is a hollow place in the ground. When the wheels 32 reach this hollow, they will drop therein, the leveler being supported on the front and rear blades i9 and i3. The downward movement of the wheels swings both cranks 33 downwardly at their forward extremities, causing the links 5l to act through the levers 49 and the plates 5? to lift the blade pipe fil.

Since the plunger 54 `cannot move into its cylinder 55 due to the fluid therein, the lift of the links 5l will be transmitted directly to the end plates 25 and to the tension bar 2l to lift the blade 2d. It will be noted (see Figs. 7 and 3) that 'the lever arm between the stub shafts 35 and the cross pipe 37 is shorter than the lever arm between the stub shafts 35 and the stub axles 3ft. Thereforeythe cross pipe 3l moves upward a less distance than the wheels move downward. This variation is still further increased by the fact that the point of lift of the links 5i is further from the axis 25 than is the blade 2d. Therefore, when the wheels move downwardly into a hollow between'the smoothing blades i3 and E9, the blade 25:. will move upwardly approximately onehalf the depth of the hollow to over fill the hollow with earth as shown in broken line in Fig. '7.

The opposite action takes place when the wheels travel over a bump or raise. This causes them to rotate the wheel cranks 33 upwardly at their forward extremities, causing the wheel levers 'lil to move downwardly to transmit a downward movement to the blade pipe dll, and from thence to the blade as shown in solid lines in Fig. 7, so that the bump will be shaved oi below grade or undercut a depth of approximately one-half its former height above grade.

When used for automatic leveling there is no movement of the plunger 54. The plunger 5d can, however, be used for adjusting the automatic action of the blade by varying the relative positions of the cross pipe 3l and the blade pipe lll. As illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8, the adjustment is such as to give an approximate two to one ratio of movement between the wheels 32 and the blade 24. However, should it be found that the blade is leaving too much earth in the low places, iluid is allowed to discharge from the cylinder 53 Ythrough the hose 5d and additional fluid is admitted through the hose 63 to give a lower normal action level to the blade. Should it be noted that the blade is scraping the high places too low, fluid will be admitted to the cylinder 56 through the hose @il and Vdischarged through the hose 53 to give a higher normal action to the blade. Thus, the operator Vcanat all times adjust the automatic operation of the blade.

The cylinder 56 and its plunger 54 also adapt the machine for use as a scraper or earth mover and also can be used to lift the blade suficiently to provide ample road clearance for traveling purposes.

Let us assume that it is desired to force the scraper blade into the ground for earth moving purposes. Fluid is admitted to the cylinder 56 through the hose 68 and discharged through the hose 60. 'I'his rotates the blade pipe 41 forwardly to swing the lifting arms upwardly until the stop pins 6I reach the upper limit of the slots 62 causing them to use the stop bars 63 as tension fulcrums to pry or force the blade pipe 41 and the blade 24 downwardly as shown in broken line in Fig. 8. This also forces thecross pipe 31 downward to tilt the wheel cranks 33 upward to lift the wheels from the ground and place the full weight of the machine on the cutting edge. Y

Let us now assume that it is desired tolift the blade for road clearance or for dumping a load of dirt. Fluid is admitted through the hose B and discharged through the hose 68 to extend the plunger as shown in solid lines in Fig. 8. This rotates the blade pipe 41 rearwardly causing the arms 49 to swing downwardly until the stop pins 6I reach the lower extremity of the slots 62 when the stop bars 63 will act as compression fulcrums to pry the blade pipe 41 upwardly to lift the blade as shown in Fig. 8. This causes the links I to lift the cross pipe 31 and the rear extremities of the wheelcranks 33 to force the wheels against the ground to lift the weight of the entire leveler onto the wheels.

It is desired to call attention to the fact that the entire leveler may be turned in a relatively short radius, for the turning arc is absorbed first by the swinging movement of the draw bar I8 about the Vertical axis of the ball-and-socket joint I1, and second, by the hinging movement between the two truss sections H and I2 about the axis of the hinge pin I4.

For ordinary scraping purposes, the pin I4 is withdrawn by loosening and lifting the upper hinge plate 69 and the rear truss section I2 is removed. The device then forms a simple wheeled scraper. For transportation purposes, the rear section I2 is placed upon the top of the section II so as to be completely supported on the Wheels 32.

While a 'specific form of the improvement has been described and illustrated herein, it is desired to be understood that the same may be varied, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed and desired secured by Letters Patent is:

l. A land leveling device comprising: a relatively narrow medially extending, longitudinal truss member; a front supporting means supporting the forward extremity of said truss member; a rear ground-engaging member supporting the rear extremity of said truss member; a blade frame xedly suspended below said truss member and extending transversally and outwardly beyond both sides thereof; a scraper' blade positioned within said blade frame; hinge mem,- bers extending forwardly from said blade to a hinged connection on the forward portion of said blade frame; a wheel crank journalled on each side of said blade frame; a ground-engaging wheel mounted on each wheel crank; and means for raising and lowering said blade in consequence of the rotation of said wheel cranks.

2. A land leveling device comprising: a medially extending, longitudinal truss member; a front supporting means supporting the forward extremity of said truss member; a rear groundengaging member supporting the rear extremity of said truss member; a blade frame fixedly Suspended below said truss member and extending transversally beyond both sides thereof; a scraper blade positioned within said blade frame; hinge members extending forwardly from said blade to a hinged connection on the forward portion of said blade frame; a wheel crank journalled on each extremity of said blade frame; a ground-engaging wheel mounted on each Wheel crank; a wheel lever projecting from each wheel crank; a blade shaft rotatably mounted on said blade and extending therealong; connecting links transmitting the movement of said wheel levers to said blade shaft; and means for resisting rotation of said blade shaft so that the movements of said wheel levers will be transmitted into vertical movements on said blade.

3. A land leveling device comprising: a medially extending, longitudinal truss member; a front supporting means supporting the forward extremity of said truss member; a rear groundengaging member supporting the rear extremity of said truss member; a blade frame xedly suspended below said truss member and extending transversally beyond both sides thereof; a scraper blade positioned within said bladeframe; hinge members extending forwardly from said blade to a hinged connection on the forward portion of said blade frame; a wheel crank journalled on each side of said blade frame; a ground-engaging wheel mounted on each wheel crank; means for lowering and raising said blade in consequence of the rotation of said wheel cranks; a hinge member having a fixed vertical axis of rotation lying in the vertical medial plane of said truss member between the rear extremity of said truss member and the forward extremity of said rear ground engaging member so that vertical relative movement is prevented and so that the truss member may swing transversally with reference to the rear ground engaging member.

4. A land leveling device comprising: a medially extending, longitudinal truss member; a front supporting means; a rear ground-engaging member supporting the rear extremity of said truss member; a blade frame xedly suspended below said truss member and extending transversally beyond both sides thereof; a scraper blade positioned within said blade frame; hinge members extending forwardly from said blade to a hinged connection on the forward portion of said blade frame; a wheel crank journalled on each side of said blade frame; a ground-engaging wheel mounted on each wheel crank; means for raising and lowering said blade in consequence of the rotation of said wheel cranks; a draw bar extending forwardly from said front sup-porting means; means -for supporting the forward extremity of said draw bar on the vehicle; a universal joint between the midportion of said draw bar and the forward extremity of said truss member; and a front smoothing blade rigidly mounted on and extending transversally of the rear extremity of said draw bar and resting upon the ground.

5. A land leveling device comprising: a frame; means supporting said frame above the ground; a scraper blade positioned within said frame; hinge arms extending Iforwardly from said blade to a hinged connection with the forward portion of said frame so that said blade may be raised and lowered within said frame; a hinge shaft at each side of said frame; a wheel crank extending forward from each hinge shaft; a ground-engaging wheel mounted on each wheel crank; a blade lever extending rearwardly from each wheel crank; a lifting arm mounted on said blade so as to extend rearwardly therefrom; link means connecting the rearwardly extending portion of said lifting arm with said blade levers; a hydraulic jack operatively connected with said lifting arm for varying the relative position between said blade and said blade levers; and stop means connected to said frame and extending into the path of movement of said lifting arm so as to limit the vertical movement thereof and act as a fulcrum to enable said hydraulic jack to force either' said scraper blade or said wheels into engagement with the ground through a prying action on said lift levers.

6. In an automatic land leveler of the type having tiltable wheel cranks with a ground-engaging wheel carried on one extremity of each crank and a scraper blade carried on the other extremities of said cranks, means for rotating said cranks for forcing either said wheels or said blade against the ground, comprising: a lifting arm hingedly mounted on said blade and extending rearwardly therefrom; a link connecting said arm with said wheels to convey the vertical movements of the latter to the former; hydraulic means connected with said arm to swing the latter when desired; and means for limiting the upward movement of said lifting armat its rearward extremity so that it will pry said scraper downward at its forward extremity under the influence of said hydraulic means.

7. In an automatic land leveler of the type having tiltable wheel cranks with a ground-engaging wheel carried on one extremity of each crank and a scraper blade carried on the other extremities of said cranks, means for rotating said cranks for forcing either said wheels or said blade against the ground comprising: a lifting arm hingedly mounted on said blade and extending rearwardly therefrom; a link connecting said arm with said wheels to convey the vertical movements of the latter to the former; hydraulic means connected with said arm to swing the latter when desired; and means for limiting the downward movement of said lifting arm at its rearward extremity so that it will act to pry said scraper blade upward at its forward extremity under the influence of said hydraulic means.

8. In an automatic land leveler of the type having tiltable wheel cranks with a ground-engaging wheel carried on one extremity of each crank and a scraper blade carried on the other extremities of said cranks, means for rotating said cranks for forcing either said wheels or said blade against the ground, comprising: a lifting arm hingedly mounted on said blade and extending rearwardly therefrom; a link connecting said arm with said wheels to convey the Vertical movements of the latter to the former; hydraulic means connected with said arm to swing the latter when desired; means for limiting the upward movement of said lifting arm at its rearward extremity so that it will pry said scraper downward at its forward extremity; and means for limiting the downward movement of said lifting arm at its rearward extremity so that it will act to pry said scraper blade upward at its forward extremity under the influence of said hydraulic means.

9. A land leveler comprising: a supporting frame; a scraper blade extending transversally of said frame; and members on said blade extending forwardly therefrom; means hinging the forward extremities of said end members to said frame so that said blade may swing vertically; a rotatable blade shaft extending between said end members above said blade; an operating 1ever projecting upwardly from said blade shaft; a hydraulic jack supported from and between said end members forwardly of said blade shaft and extending to said operating lever to rotate said shaft; lifter arms secured to and extending rearwardly from said shaft; -fulcrum members mounted on said frame in the paths of said lifter arms against which the latter may react to raise and' lower said blade as said shaft rotates back and forth, said fulcrum members allowing a limited independent vertical movement of said lifter arms; and means reacting against said frame for raising and lowering said blade within the limited movement of said lifter arms.

LAWRENCE E. SHUMAKER.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Re. 23,190 Smith Jan. 10, 1950 1,691,854 Over-man Nov. 13, 1928 1,765,910 Eversman June 24, 1930 2,124,625 Marvin July 2s, 193s 2,277,889. Shumaker Mar. l31, 1942 2,283,744 Lethlean May 19, 1942 2,314,888 Manning Mar. 30, 1943 l2,407,780 Gurries Sept. 17, 1946 2,428,857 Smith Oct. 14, 1947 2,459,591 Shumaker `et al. Jan. 18, 1949 v2,464,227 Gurries et al. Mar. 15, 1949 

